Described is the Social Studies component of the Iowa Developed Energy Activity Sampler (IDEAS), a multidisciplinary energy education program designed for infusion into the curriculum of grades seven through twelve. Aspects of the energy situation addressed in these lessons include resource finiteness, exponential growth, standard of living,…

The crux of energy-related issues goes beyond technological matters to the political, economical, cultural, geographical, and historical aspects of human society. Accordingly, this manual presents background information and lessons that are designed to help secondary school social studies classes examine several facets of energy problems and…

This study attempted to clarify the interplay of self/social interest and education level as factors in the "knowledge gap" hypothesis, which states that knowledge of heavily publicized topics is accrued faster over time by better educated persons. In each of two telephone surveys in the Lansing, Michigan, area, the same 253 adults were…

The publications, activities, and educational opportunities offered in relation to the activities of the National Council of Family Relations are disseminated in this newsletter. Conventions and meetings of the Council are reviewed and future meetings announced. Organizational business items relate past and future activities. News of affiliated…

This module is one of several designed for the Camden Teacher Corps project. The general objectives of the module are a) to develop or increase the student's awareness of selected, abiding issues related to education facing New Jersey and the nation; b) to develop the student's thinking and analysis as they relate to the issues; and c) to provide…

The content and components that can be included in the social studies curriculum are dependent upon how the discipline is defined. If social studies is not simply an offshoot of social sciences, but, rather a required general education program concerned with the preparation of citizens for reflective participation in a democratic society and with…

This second installment covers online sources to be used for searching current events questions on "who" (identification or background of a particular name), "where" (geographic areas, statistical databases), and "what" (international trade, foreign aid, international relations, crime, and disasters). A list of 139…

Results of a questionnaire administered to university and high school students indicated a lack of knowledge about key environmental issues. Environmental political opinions reflected pessimism and apprehension relative to ability to control present and future environmental problems. (Author/DF)

Letter to a junior high school principal discusses curriculum deficiencies and suggests learning outcomes that should result from classroom activities. (MF)

This intermediate/secondary level unit on contemporary China is based on Allyn and Bacon's "Social Change: The Case of Rural China." Supplementary materials are suggested. This article is one of several in this issue on China studies. (SJL)

Describes an upper-division science course offered at the University of North Florida, Colonization of Space. The course presents several current issues in the areas of physical science and includes topics in science and technology likely to influence the future lives of present college students. (CS)

Results of testing uses and gratifications theory with college students show students' media use and surveillance needs increase college year. Demographic differences and gratifications sought drive news media use. Surveillance needs result in increased use of all news media, whereas entertainment needs result in television news and CNN viewing.…

Briefly discusses some of the recent developments in the on-going controversy concerning pornography and the arts. Argues that much of the mainstream press coverage merely sensationalizes incidents (e.g., "Time" magazine's cover story on cyberporn and the furor over Calvin Klein advertisements) and encourages polarized opinions. (MJP)